Private Pilot Maneuvers

Straight and Level

Objective: Maintain a steady altitude, heading, and airspeed in coordinated flight.

1. Power: Adjust as needed, typically between 2300 and 2400 RPM.
2. Attitude: Use primary flight controls to set and hold attitude.
3. Trim: Set at the desired airspeed to relieve pressure on the controls.

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Climb

Objective: Hold proper attitude, airspeed, and coordination to climb efficiently with climb power.

1. Power: Full throttle.
2. Attitude: Adjust and maintain at Vx (64 KTS) or Vy (76 KTS).
3. Trim: Set to relieve pressure at target airspeed.
4. Recover: Level off at the desired altitude using coordinated controls.

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Descent

Objective: Control the airplane in descent while staying coordinated at proper speeds and settings.

1. Power: Mixture rich, set to 1800 RPM, aim for a 500 FPM descent rate.
2. Attitude: Use primary flight controls to establish and maintain descent.
3. Trim: Adjust to relieve pressure at chosen airspeed.
4. Recover: Level off smoothly and restore cruise power with coordinated inputs.

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Level-Off

Objective: Transition back to straight and level coordinated flight after a climb or descent.

After Climb:

1. Attitude: Use primary controls to level the aircraft.
2. Power: Set to 2300 RPM at target airspeed.
3. Trim: Relieve pressure as needed.

After Descent:

1. Power: Set to 2300 RPM.
2. Attitude: Use primary controls to hold level.
3. Trim: Adjust to reduce control force.

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Level Turn

Objective: Hold a steady altitude, coordinated flight, and speed while maintaining a bank in either direction.

1. Power: Cruise setting between 2300 and 2400 RPM.
2. Attitude: Maintain with primary flight controls.
3. Recover: Roll out on the assigned heading using coordinated controls.

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Climbing Turn

Objective: Maintain coordinated flight while climbing and turning.

1. Power: Full.
2. Attitude: Use primary controls to hold climb and bank.
3. Trim: Set to reduce pressure at desired airspeed.
4. Recover: Level off on heading and altitude using coordinated controls.

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Descending Turn

Objective: Control aircraft during a descending turn while remaining coordinated.

1. Power: Mixture rich, 2200 RPM, aim for 500 FPM descent.
2. Attitude: Use primary controls to maintain descent.
3. Trim: Set for control pressure relief.
4. Recover: Level off on heading and altitude, gently restore cruise power.

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Normal Takeoff

Objective: Make a smooth transition from takeoff roll to climb.

1. Run-Up: Complete.
2. Flaps: Set to 0°.
3. Checklist: Pre-takeoff complete.
4. Clearance: Obtain.
5. Throttle: Full in 2 seconds.
6. Engine Instruments: Verify normal.
7. Airspeed: Confirm alive.
8. Rotate: At 60 KTS.
9. Attitude: Pitch for Vy (76 KTS).
10. Climb: Maintain 76 KTS.
11. After Takeoff: At 500’, perform after-takeoff check.
12. Climb: Continue.

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Crosswind Takeoff

Objective: Maintain control during a crosswind takeoff and establish a good climb.

1. Run-Up: Complete.
2. Flaps: 0°.
3. Clearance: Obtain.
4. Controls: Full deflection into wind.
5. Throttle: Full.
6. Instruments: Check engine instruments.
7. Airspeed: Alive.
8. Aileron: Gradually reduce input.
9. Rotate: At 60 KTS onto upwind wheel.
10. Attitude: Pitch for Vy – 76 KTS.
11. Correction Angle: Apply into wind.
12. Climb: 76 KTS.
13. After Takeoff: Confirm climb.
14. Climb: Check.

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Slow Flight (Clean)

Objective: Control and maneuver the aircraft at slow speeds in clean configuration.

1. Clearing Turns: Complete.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 1800 RPM.
3. Pitch: Maintain altitude slightly above stall warning, about 2 KTS above.
4. Power: Adjust as needed to hold altitude.
5. Maneuver: Two 90° turns with 10° bank.
6. Recover: Throttle full.
7. Attitude: Maintain altitude, heading, coordination.
8. Flaps: Verify flaps 0°.
9. Return: Establish straight and level.

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Slow Flight (Dirty)

Objective: Perform slow flight in dirty configuration while staying coordinated and controlled.

1. Clearing Turns: Complete.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 1800 RPM.
3. Flaps: Add full flaps below VFE (102 KTS) in three steps.
4. Pitch: Hold 2 KTS above stall warning.
5. Power: Adjust to maintain altitude.
6. Maneuver: Two 90° turns with 10° bank.
7. Recover: Throttle full.
8. Attitude: Maintain heading, altitude, coordination.
9. Flaps: Go to 25°, pitch for 76 KTS, then gently to 10° and 0°.
10. Return: Straight and level flight.

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Power-Off Stall

Objective: Learn stall characteristics during landing and practice proper recovery techniques.

1. Clearing Turns & Altitude: 3,500’.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 1800 RPM.
3. Pitch: Maintain altitude.
4. Flaps: Add full flaps below VFE.
5. Descent: At 76 KTS, descend at 500 FPM. At 3000’, reduce power to idle.
6. Stall: Maintain 3000’ as if simulating runway, wait for stall.
7. Recovery Pitch: Reduce angle of attack.
8. Power: Full throttle.
9. Flaps: Go to 25°, pitch for Vy (76 KTS), retract flaps as climb stabilizes.
10. Altitude: Return to entry altitude.
11. Return: Establish straight and level.

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Power-On Stall

Objective: Recognize and recover from takeoff stall conditions.

1. Clearing Turns & Altitude: Complete.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 1800 RPM.
3. Pitch: Maintain altitude.
4. Throttle: Below 70 KTS, set 2300 RPM.
5. Pitch: Gradually raise nose until stall.
6. Coordination: Maintain coordination.
7. Recovery Pitch: Reduce angle of attack.
8. Power: Full throttle.
9. Attitude: Set for Vy (76 KTS).
10. Configuration: Confirm positive rate.
11. Altitude: Return to entry altitude.
12. Return: Straight and level flight.

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Turns Around a Point

Objective: Fly a circular path around a point while managing wind drift and holding altitude.

1. Clearing Turns: Complete.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 2300-2400 RPM.
3. Altitude: 600-1000’ AGL.
4. Point: Choose an easy-to-see, safe landing option nearby.
5. Entry: Enter on downwind about 1/4 mile from point.
6. Turn: Start when abeam the point.
7. Bank: Adjust to keep radius; max 45° bank.
8. Continue: Make two full circles.
9. Exit: Outbound on downwind.
10. Climb: Resume normal VFR altitude.
11. Return: Straight and level.

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S-Turns Across a Road

Objective: Follow an S-turn pattern using ground references while correcting for wind and staying coordinated.

1. Clearing Turns: Complete.
2. Power: Mixture rich, 2300-2400 RPM.
3. Speed: Maintain 100 KTS.
4. Altitude: Between 600-1000’ AGL.
5. Road: Use a 2-mile straight road, perpendicular to the wind.
6. Entry: Start downwind; first turn left.
7. Turn: Cross over road, initiate turn.
8. Bank: Adjust for a smooth 1/4 mile semicircle, max 45° bank.
9. Wings Level: Level over road, perpendicular.
10. Turn: Reverse direction.
11. Repeat: Steps 7 and 8 until complete.
12. Exit: On downwind.
13. Climb: Return to a safe cruising altitude.
14. Return: Straight and level.

Steep Turns

Objective: Perform two full 360° turns at a 45° bank angle, keeping altitude, coordination, and orientation stable while dividing attention effectively.

1. Complete clearing turns.
2. Pick a cardinal or section line heading.
3. Set mixture to rich and adjust power to 2300 RPM.
4. Maintain airspeed at 100 knots.
5. Begin a level turn with a 45°–50° bank.
6. Once passing through 30° of bank, apply more back pressure to hold altitude.
7. Add power as needed to keep airspeed steady.
8. Maintain coordinated flight throughout.
9. Roll out of the turn by reducing bank 10° before reaching your target heading. Ease back pressure when passing back through 30° of bank.
10. Reduce power to maintain 2300 RPM.
11. Keep coordination smooth.
12. Re-establish straight and level flight.

Rectangular Course

Objective: Fly a clean rectangular pattern while correcting for wind, holding altitude, and keeping control coordinated. Divide attention between the ground track and aircraft control.

1. Begin with clearing turns.
2. Set power between 2300 and 2400 RPM.
3. Hold airspeed at 100 knots.
4. Stay between 600 and 1000 feet AGL.
5. Choose a field about 1 mile by 1/2 mile, aligned with wind and safe for a potential landing.
6. Enter the pattern at midfield, on a 45° to downwind. Stay about 1/4 mile away on downwind.
7. Apply wind correction as necessary.
8. Begin turns abeam the field boundary.
9. Roll out abeam the next boundary, keeping 1/4 mile spacing and adjusting for wind.
10. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for two full laps.
11. Exit on the downwind leg.
12. Climb to a safe VFR cruising altitude.
13. Return to straight and level flight.

Traffic Pattern

Objective: Fly each leg of the traffic pattern accurately and safely in preparation for a landing.

1. Enter at midfield on a 45° angle to the downwind leg, at pattern altitude.
2. Complete the B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
3. On downwind, throttle to 2000 RPM and keep speed below 100 knots. Maintain about 1/2 to 3/4 mile spacing from the runway. The runway should sit at the two-thirds point on the wing.
4. When abeam your landing point (or traffic to follow), reduce throttle to 1800 RPM. Ensure you’re below VFE, then extend flaps to 10°. Trim for a 500 FPM descent and keep speed below 90 knots.
5. Turn base when you’re 45° from the landing point. Adjust power to hold 500 FPM descent. Add wind correction. Extend flaps to 25°. Trim to hold 80 knots.
6. Turn final, aligning with the centerline. Apply any needed wind correction. Extend full flaps. Trim for 76–80 knots.
7. Land according to conditions.

Normal Landing

Objective: Transition from descent to touchdown on the main wheels, keeping alignment with the centerline.

1. Enter the traffic pattern.
2. Complete the B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
3. Get landing clearance.
4. Use a normal descent in landing configuration on final.
5. With full flaps, adjust pitch to maintain 76–80 knots.
6. Use power to stay on the glidepath.
7. Begin the roundout when you reach your visual landing cue over the centerline.
8. Touch down on the main wheels over the runway centerline.
9. Decelerate down the centerline.
10. Pull elevator fully aft.
11. Exit runway at a safe speed and earliest safe location.
12. Complete the after-landing checklist.

Forward Slip

Objective: Sharpen the descent angle by using opposite control inputs during the approach.

1. Set full flaps as per B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
2. Use normal approach airspeed.
3. Reduce throttle to idle.
4. Apply full rudder deflection.
5. Bank into the wind with ailerons to stay aligned.
6. Adjust pitch as needed to hold airspeed.
7. Recover to normal descent once back on glidepath.

Go-Around

Objective: Shift smoothly from approach descent to climb in preparation for another landing.

1. Apply full throttle.
2. Pitch for level flight immediately.
3. Reduce to flaps 25° right away. At 76 knots and a positive climb rate, retract to flaps 10°, then flaps 0°.
4. Maintain VY climb at 76 knots.
5. Sidestep runway to the right if needed.
6. Climb and remain in the pattern for another landing.
7. Notify ATC.

Crosswind Landing

Objective: Touch down smoothly on the main wheels in various crosswind conditions while staying aligned with the runway centerline.

1. Enter the traffic pattern.
2. Complete the B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
3. Get landing clearance.
4. On final, lower the upwind wing and apply downwind rudder to maintain runway alignment.
5. Set full flaps and pitch for 76–80 knots.
6. Maintain glidepath with power.
7. Round out using the same visual cues as a normal landing.
8. Touch down on the upwind wheel first, over the centerline.
9. Use smooth wind correction while decelerating. Stay on the runway centerline.
10. Exit runway at a safe speed and early point.
11. Complete the after-landing checklist.

Soft-Field Takeoff

Objective: Lift off at the lowest safe airspeed, stay in ground effect, then transition to climb.

1. Complete the run-up.
2. Set flaps to 25°.
3. Get takeoff clearance.
4. Hold full elevator back pressure.
5. Apply full throttle.
6. Set takeoff attitude, then slowly reduce elevator pressure once the nose lifts.
7. Confirm all engine instruments are in the green.
8. Confirm airspeed is alive.
9. Lift off at the slowest safe speed.
10. Stay in ground effect, gently relaxing back pressure.
11. Accelerate to VX (64 knots) or VY (76 knots).
12. After 100 feet AGL, climb at 76 knots.
13. Keep climbing at 76 knots.
14. Raise flaps and verify climb configuration.
15. Confirm continued climb.

Soft-Field Landing

Objective: Land gently on main wheels over a soft or uneven surface.

1. Enter traffic pattern.
2. Complete B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
3. Get clearance.
4. Use normal descent in landing configuration.
5. With full flaps, pitch to maintain 76 knots.
6. Hold glidepath using power.
7. Level off at the visual landing point.
8. Begin roundout over centerline.
9. In the flare, add power to soften the touchdown.
10. Touch down on the main wheels gently.
11. Gradually pull elevator back while slowly reducing power and decelerating.
12. Exit runway safely.
13. Run through the after-landing checklist.

Short-Field Takeoff

Objective: Take off in the shortest possible distance and climb to clear obstacles.

1. Complete the run-up.
2. Set flaps to 25°.
3. Get clearance.
4. Use the very start of the runway for positioning.
5. Hold brakes.
6. Apply full static power.
7. Verify engine instruments are in the green.
8. Release brakes.
9. Keep controls neutral.
10. Maintain directional control.
11. Confirm airspeed is alive.
12. Rotate at 60 knots.
13. Hold VX (64 knots) until clearing the obstacle at 50 feet, then climb at VY (76 knots).
14. Continue climbing at 76 knots.
15. Run through the after-takeoff checks.
16. Confirm sustained climb.

Short-Field Landing

Objective: Touch down safely beyond a 50-foot obstacle and stop within the shortest distance.

1. Enter the traffic pattern.
2. Complete the B.C.G.U.M.P.S. checklist.
3. Obtain landing clearance.
4. Descend in normal landing configuration.
5. With full flaps, pitch for 65 knots.
6. Control glidepath with power.
7. Round out using visual cues to minimize float.
8. Touch down on main wheels over the centerline.
9. On rollout, immediately retract flaps, slowly pull elevator back, and apply max braking while staying centered.
10. Exit runway promptly and safely.
11. Complete after-landing checks.

Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated)

Objective: Respond to an emergency by securing life and minimizing airplane damage. Stay focused on control, procedure, and field selection.

1. Glide at best glide speed, Vg (76 knots).
2. Choose a field into the wind, clear of obstructions and terrain hazards.
3. Run the memory checklist first, then the full paper checklist. Apply flaps as needed.
4. Fuel: Mixture rich, fuel pump on, switch tanks.
5. Air: Carb heat ON.
6. Spark: Check magnetos are ON.

Lost Procedures

Objective: Figure out your position after becoming lost during flight.

1. Climb to at least 3000 feet AGL.
2. Run through your enroute checklist.
3. Search for major landmarks for up to 10 minutes.
4. Use VOR or GPS to cross-check position.
5. Call for help: use the last ATC frequency, known ATC, FSS, or emergency on 121.50